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| Innovator's Focus: 311's 24/7 Citizen Response ServiceWed, 07 Jan 2009 14:03:48 -0800 by AshInstituteWidely replicated in cities around the country, Chicago's 311 System dramatically improves city government operations offering residents 24/7 response to all non-emergency queries on city services, events, and programs. The system combines several smaller call centers into one center staffed by highly-trained, multilingual operators with high-powered, enterprise-wide software that automatically channels service requests to the correct department. The program is a 2003 Innovations in American Government Award winner. Related: none | |
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| The 2009 Cadillac Presidential LimousineWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:55:45 -0800 by PatriotMcCainGeneral Motors Corp. recently delivered to the U.S. Secret Service a brand new presidential limousine, replacing the 2006 model Cadillac DTS presidential limousine that President George W. Bush has used.The new limousine, dubbed the 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine, makes its debut on Inauguration Day. It's the first presidential limousine not to carry a specific model name, said GM spokesman David Caldwell.GM declined to say how many it was building for the U.S. government, but it's believed to be fewer than 25.Ed Donovan, a Secret Service spokesman, confirmed that the new Cadillac limousine would make its debut on Jan. 20 during the inauguration, but declined to elaborate on the new vehicle's improvements or specifications.The new limousine has larger windows and better visibility for the president, Caldwell said. But it is roughly the same size and "footprint" of the previous model, he said.Obama will use the limousine during the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue after his swearing in on the west side of the Capitol.Spy shots of a test version of the new presidential limousine made the rounds on blogs this summer, with some suggesting it was built on GM's medium-duty truck platform and had a diesel engine. But those photos didn't have GM production panels.Another company provides heavy armor that is reportedly at least 5 inches thick for the vehicle. The limousine also has run-flat tires, bulletproof glass and a completely sealed interior to ward off a chemical attack, among many other high-tech security features. It also has electronic communications equipment.Secret Service agents are training with the new limousine at a facility near Washington.Caldwell said it would be a mistake to classify the new vehicle as a truck or a sedan."The president is not riding in a medium-duty truck, nor he is riding in a sedan," he said, adding that it is a "unique" vehicle.Caldwell said he couldn't give specifications -- even the engine size or type -- in either the current limousine or the new one. Other facts also are secret like the vehicle's curb weight, though Cadillac has disclosed in the past that the limo has a 10-disc CD player and hand-stitched leather interiors.Both Donovan and Caldwell said they would release more information and pictures about the new limo next week.Caldwell noted that the Secret Service would continue to use the 2006 model vehicles as well. Presidential limousines are often used for a decade or longer. They are also used by the vice president, and the Secret Service often provides transportation for visiting world leaders.GM introduced its latest version of the presidential limousine in 2005 during Bush's second inauguration, which replaced the 2001 Cadillac DeVille presidential limousine. GM builds the vehicles to "an exacting list" of government specifications."This is an assignment we really treasure," Caldwell said. "We're honored again to be associated with the U.S. presidency."The president also on occasion travels in a Chevrolet Suburban. Bush often travels in a Chevy during weekend biking trips in Washington. He owns a Ford F-250 pickup he keeps on his Texas ranch.During the presidential campaign, Obama bought a Ford Escape Hybrid, getting rid of his less efficient Chrysler 300C. He also blasted the first car he learned to drive on: a Ford Granada, saying it may be "the worst car Detroit ever built."GM has built the most presidential limousines since 1983, wresting the job away from Ford Motor Co., which built a series of Lincolns -- mostly Continentals -- for use by presidents starting in 1939, when it built a Lincoln V-12 for President Franklin Roosevelt.Ford built a 1989 Lincoln Town Car limo for President George H.W. Bush that was modified from an F-250 pickup. It's on display at his presidential library.GM has a 90-year history with presidents.President Woodrow Wilson rode in a Cadillac during a World War I victory parade in 1919. President Calvin Coolidge used a 1928 Cadillac town car throughout his administration.But the first government-owned vehicle was a Stanley Steamer purchased during President Theodore Roosevelt's administration. The first president to ride in a car in his inauguration was Warren Harding, who rode in a Packard Twin-Six.In 1938, two Cadillac convertibles, dubbed the "Queen Mary" and "Queen Elizabeth," were purchased by the U.S. government. Named for ocean liners, the 21 1/2 feet, 7,660-pound vehicles were equipped with a full ammunition arsenal, two-way radios and heavy-duty generators.They remained in use until the 1950s. President Dwight Eisenhower got one of the first production 1953 Cadillac Eldorados, which he rode in his first inaugural parade.The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn has the largest collection of presidential limousines, including the vehicle that President John F. Kennedy rode in 1963 when he was shot. Related: fox news republican conservative o'reilly hannity limbaugh coulter ingraham beck savage military cnn nbc olbermann liberal traitors patriots global war on terror god | |
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| All Societies Have To Operate From MythsWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:46:06 -0800 by mslawdoteduhttp://www.mslaw.edu The growing disconnect between our political and cultural mythology and how the economy actually works. Dean Lawrence R. Velvel interviews David Cay Johnston former investigative journalist for the New York Times on his book, Free Lunch How The Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense ( and Stick You with the Bill)The Massachusetts School of Law also presents information on important current affairs to the general public in television and radio broadcasts, an intellectual journal, conferences, author appearances, blogs and books. For more information visit mslawledu.MSLAW podcasts are available on itunes (just search for mslaw) and at http://mslaw.libsyn. com/rss. MSLAW videos can also be found on Google. Related: adam benjamin boston british company east india labaree nations of party reagan ronald smith tea the wealth | |
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| Walk For Liberty Day 222 - Completing a Walk Across America - Reaching the Atlantic OceanWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:36:50 -0800 by WalkForLibertyhttp://Donate.WalkFo rLiberty.com If you support what we're doing to promote the cause of freedom on the Walk For Liberty, please consider supporting our work by making even a $3 contribution. Every contribution helps!http://SubYT.W alkForLiberty.com(cl ick here to subscribe to the WalkForLiberty channel)*** Video notesDecember 31st 2008, day 222 / Snowstorm! / Last day of coast-to-coast journey of the Walk For Liberty / Crowd of people joining me to walk to the beach, despite the snow! / Reaching the ocean at Hampton Beach / More people waiting for us at the ocean / Snow covered beach / Final approach to the ocean / Setting foot into the Atlantic Ocean / Doing a Polar Bear Plunge / The After-Party New Year's Eve Bash / Welcome Home Cake / Modeling a custom Walk For Liberty shirt / Nintendo Wii games / Karaoke / Recording GPS coordinates the next morning / 8.51 miles for liberty / http://Donate.WalkFo rLiberty.com / Snow Angel / Cloverfield homage?*** About the Walk For LibertyWhat are you willing to do for freedom?Vote? Protest? Participate in a rally? Walk all the way across the country?We are.This summer, a group of activists will be walking across America to achieve more freedom and liberty.Our pioneer forefathers trekked across the continent from the east to the west to find a better life for themselves. This time, we're doing it in reverse.I am walking coast-to-coast across the country, from Oregon to New Hampshire. I am joined by my immediate family as well. We're on a quest to gain more freedom for ourselves and for our country by spreading the message of freedom and liberty along the way.Why are we doing this?We see the gradual chipping away at freedoms in America, and want to do our part to stop it. My wife and I are moving to New Hampshire as part of the Free State Project. New Hampshire is already the freest state in the country, which is why we are moving there. But we also want to help bring more freedom to as many other people as possible.Therefore we are walking across America to get to New Hampshire. We are walking all the way there to bring as much media attention and publicity as possible to two liberty-oriented causes: the Free State Project, which is working to make New Hampshire even more free, and Ron Paul's message of freedom for everyone. To learn more about the Free State Project, visit http://FreeStateProj ect.org To learn more about Ron Paul, visit http://CampaignForLi berty.com*** Follow Our ProgressRead my blog at http://WillBuchanan. com/blog to learn more about the latest in our preparations for the Walk For Liberty and our progress and adventures during it. You may also subscribe to it at http://WillBuchanan. com/blog/feed*** How you can helpPlease visit http://WalkForLibert y.com/help-out if you'd like to help the Walk For Liberty achieve more freedom for everyone.*** DonateWould you consider donating $3 to help support the Walk For Liberty? Even the price of a cup of coffee will go a long way to helping pay for our mission to promote liberty. No donation is too small! Visit http://Donate.WalkFo rLiberty.com________ ____________*** Please Check Out As Wellhttp://LibertyAc tivism.info is a repository for all things related to liberty activism. Topics there include personal experiences, techniques, examples, propaganda, and how-tos. It is a portal for seasoned liberty activists, as well as a tutorial for budding activists. Please, make an account and contribute.*** Those in the media who should consider our storyJohn StosselJohn Stossel is a consumer reporter, investigative journalist, author, libertarian columnist, and co-anchor for the ABC News show 20/20. Watch this video in which John Stossel interviews the then president of the Free State Project, Varrin Swearingen and the founder of the Free State Project, Jason Sorens:http://www.yo utube.com/watch?v=F2 5lkOUkzskDrew CareyDrew Carey currently hosts a series of mini-documentaries called The Drew Carey Project on Reason.tv, a new online project of the Reason Foundation.Ted BalakerTed Balaker is a producer for the Drew Carey Project at reason.tv, and a policy analyst at Reason Foundation. His reason.tv contributions have addressed topics such as drug and education policy, gambling, traffic congestion, and eminent domain.http://Reason .org/balaker.shtml** * Sponsors who we think should help support the Walk For LibertyJohn Mackey of Whole Foods MarketJohn Mackey is Chairman and CEO of Whole Foods Market. Mackey was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2003. Mackey is a strong believer in FLOW principles, including free market principles and empowerment management.Cato InstituteThe Cato Institute was founded in 1977 by Edward H. Crane. It is a non-profit public policy research foundation headquartered in Washington, D.C. Related: free state project freestateproject.org end us federal government freedom walk for liberty across usa america country new hampshire nh ron paul campaign revolution will buchanan coast coast-to-coast complete water coastline hampton beach years eve year's after party bash ice frozen frigid chilly snowstorm journey crowd people snow covered atlantic ocean setting foot polar bear plunge welcome home cake nintendo wii bad karaoke gps seagulls angel cloverfield homage five porcicle | |
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| Cambodias Killing Fields Remembered 30 Years LaterWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:20:43 -0800 by NTDTVThousands of Cambodians gathered in Phnom Penh on Wednesday to mark the fall of Pol Pots ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime 30 years ago. Around two million are believed to have died during what has become known as the Killing Fields. Up to 80,000 people packed into the Olympic stadium in Phnom Penh for a rally organized by the ruling Cambodian People's Party, the descendant of the puppet government installed by Vietnam after its troops oustedChina-backed Pol Pot on Jan. 7, 1979.As much as Cambodians loathe the Khmer Rouge for their genocidal attempt to create an agrarian paradise, many of them also mourn January 7th as the start of a 10-year occupation by their hated Vietnamese neighbors.Some of the rally participants were too young to remember what life in Cambodia was like under the Khmer Rouge some were not yet born.[Vong Leakenatevy, University Student]:"I think that January 7 is my second birth. Although, I was not born during that regime I always heard about the suffering and killing from my parents. This is a special day for me and my parents. If we didn't have thisday, I would not be here."The remnants of Pol Pot's black-shirted guerrilla army fled into the jungle along the Thai border until their final surrender in 1998.But Pol Pots henchmen are only now being brought to justice in a joint Cambodian-United Nations tribunal.The court admitted this week that Cambodia's prosecutor was blocking a bid by the prosecutor's international counterpart to go after more than the five top cadres now in custody on charges of war crimes and crimes againsthumanity. Those in custody are Brother Number Two Nuon Chea, former President Khieu Samphan, former Foreign Minister Ieng Sary, his wife, Ieng Thirith, and Duch, head of Phnom Penh's Tuol Sleng, or the "S-21" interrogation and torture center. Related: ntd cambodia "killing fields" "phnom penh" "pol pot" china genocide | |
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| Mayer Brown partners join Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & HamptonWed, 07 Jan 2009 13:16:04 -0800 by employmentcrossingThree partners are leaving Mayer Brown's Los Angeles office to join Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, a Los Angeles-based firm. The partners are moving to help build a white-collar criminal defense practice. Bryan Daly, Charles Kreindler, and Peter Morris are joining Sheppard Mullin's downtown Los Angeles office as partners in the business trials and government contracts practice groups. The three partners have worked extensively with one of Sheppard Mullin's largest clients, Northrop Grumman Corporation. To find Legal jobs near you, click here. Related: employmentcrossing.com mayer brown partners join sheppard mullin richter hampton lawcrossing.com law jobs | |
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